Local Sports

McFarland will not seek re-election in 2014

Kathy Elliott, chief deputy treasurer, will run for the position in November 2014

By Carie Canterbury

canterburyc@canoncitydailyrecord.com

Posted:
11/29/2013 05:36:39 PM MST

Fremont County Treasurer Pat McFarland, right, will not seek re-election in 2014, and announced her intent this week to endorse Kathy Elliott, chief deputy treasurer, who has submitted paperwork to run for the position in November 2014. (Carie Canterbury / Daily Record)

Fremont County Treasurer Patricia McFarland announced this week she will not seek re-election for a third term in 2014.

McFarland, 67, said she plans to endorse Kathy Elliott, chief deputy treasurer, who has submitted paperwork to run for the position in November 2014.

"It was a lot of thought and prayer when I ran, and even more thought and prayer when I decided to not run," McFarland said. "It's a big step; I don't look at it is like I am retiring from something, I want to look at it more like I am retiring to something."

McFarland said she plans to spend time rediscovering her community and spending time with her family.

"I want to see the beauty in my community and also the beauty in my own family — my husband, my kids, my grandkids and great-grandkids and friends — and just to have time to do that," she said. "I really am looking forward to that, as a retirement to something."

McFarland has worked in the Fremont County Treasurer's office since June 1993, and was elected as treasurer in 2006 and 2010. Prior to that, she served as the deputy public trustee. Her current term expires in December 2014.

"I really have enjoyed the job itself, but more than anything, I think it's the people that I have enjoyed," she said. "In being treasurer, in my own small way, I have been able to help taxpayers along the way who have come in with problems and that's what I enjoy, my office can help with those problems. I can make decisions that can maybe help life a bit of a burden for someone else."

Elliott, 48, has worked in the treasurer's office for almost 10 years. She will run for the treasurer seat as a Republican.

"I think it's a new challenge that I am ready to try," she said. "I enjoy that office and I think that I can do the job with some teaching from Pat over the next year."

McFarland said knowing that Elliott could potentially assume her seat made the decision to not run for re-election much easier.

"It is a concern when you have been in an office for a long time to hand it off," McFarland said. "I believe this handoff would be smooth, a smooth transition, and I think she would take care of what I've tried to build and build on it. I believe she is well qualified."

The primary duties of the treasurer are the collection of property taxes and the custody of various funds, McFarland said. The treasurer's website stated all taxes collected by the treasurer are apportioned and credited to the state, county, cities and towns, school districts and special districts within the county according to the established mill levies. The custody of funds includes receipt, management, investment and disbursement of those funds, thereby consolidating into one agency the responsibilities of the several levels of government.

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